Crossing The Bar | Unit 4.2 | English

UNIT 4

LIFE AND DEATH

Crossing The Bar

Reading 2

A. Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B.

moaning – v. complaining

boundless- iv. never-ending; infinite

twilight- vii. dusk

embark – iii. go on board

tho’ – ii. though

bourne- i. a boundary; a limit

crost- vi. crossed

B. Fill in the gaps with the words/phrases given below to complete the paraphrase of the poem.

I notice the sunset and evening stars in the sky and hear a sound calling for me loud and clear. I hope that the sandbar will not be disturbed when I go out to sea. Instead, I want to be carried out on a tide moving so slowly it seems almost asleep, and which is too swollen to make a sound. That’s what I want when I return home to the depths of the great unknown. Twilight comes with the evening bell which will be followed by darkness. There don’t need to be any sad goodbyes when I go. Even though I’ll be going far from this time and place, floating on the tide of death, I hope to meet  God, who has been like my pilot in this journey, when I’ve made it across the bar.

C. Answer the following questions.

a. Where does the speaker have to go crossing the sandbar?

⇒ The speaker has to go to the sea crossing the sandbar.

b. Why can’t the tide make a huge sound or create a lather?

⇒ The tide can’t make a huge sound or create a lather because it seems asleep.

c. What do the twilight and the evening bell suggest in the poem?

⇒ In the poem, the twilight and the evening bell suggest the end of the day. In a deeper sense, the speaker’s approaching his end.

d. Where is the speaker going without accepting sad goodbyes?

⇒ The speaker is going to a sea journey without accepting sad goodbyes.

e. Who is the only agent that helps the speaker to go far on his journey?

⇒ His Pilot (God) is the only agent that helps the speaker to go far on his journey.

f. Does the speaker fear death? Why/Why not?

⇒ The speaker does not fear death because he believes that he will be able to see his creator face-to-face in the afterlife. He believes that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new life.

g. What does the pilot symbolise?

⇒  The pilot symbolises God (his creator).

Grammar II

A. Complete the following sentences with the correct adverbs from the brackets.

I see one or two movies every week. I …. (often/never) ….. go to the movies.

⇒ often

I let my roommate borrow my car just once. I ………… (sometimes/rarely) ……….. let my roommate borrow my car.

⇒ rarely

Maria eats cereal for breakfast seven days a week. Maria …… (usually/always) …….. eats cereal for breakfast.

⇒ always

Four out of five visitors to the museum stay for three hours or longer. Museum visitors ……… (usually/seldom) ….. stay for at least three hours.

⇒ usually

We occasionally have quizzes in history class. The teacher ……… (always/sometimes) …….. gives quizzes in history class.

⇒ sometimes

Subina always misses the morning assembly. She …… (rarely/ never) ……. arrives at school on time.

⇒ never

In the desert, it rains only two days between May and September every year. It ……… (rarely/often) …….. rains there in the summer.

⇒ rarely

Rohit asks me to go to the winter camp, but I don’t accept his invitation. I ……… (seldom/often) …….. go to the winter camp.

⇒ seldom

Lisa and Samrat go fishing/ to dinner at least three times a week. They ……… (usually/seldom) ………. go out to dinner with each other.

⇒ usually

B. Rewrite the following sentences with the correct alternatives from the brackets.

Your friendship over the years and your support ……. (has/have) …….. meant a great deal to us. – plural subject

⇒ have

Hamilton Family Center, a shelter for teenage runaways in San Francisco, ……… (offers/offer) ………. a wide variety of services. – singular subject

⇒ offers

One of the major sources of income of Trinidad ……. (is/are) ……. tourism. – singular subject

⇒ is

The chances of your being promoted …. (is/are) …… excellent. plural subject

are

There …………… (was/were) …………… a Pokemon card stuck to the refrigerator. – singular subject

was

Neither the professor nor his assistants …………… (was/were) ……………. able to attend the conference. plural subject

⇒ were

Many hours at the driving range …… (has/have) ……. led us to design golf balls with GPS locators in them. – plural subject

⇒ have

Discovered in the soil of our city garden …….. (was/were) …… a button dating from the turn of the century.- singular subject

⇒ was

Writing II

A. Read the email below and write a reply to Asmita Praja. Express your sympathy and wish that she gets well soon.

From: abcdef@gmail.com

To: asmita@gamil.com

Subject: Expressing sympathy and wishing a speedy recovery

Dear Asmita,

I was deeply saddened to hear about your recent accident. Please accept my sincere sympathy and heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. Knowing how cautious and careful you are, I find myself wondering how such an unfortunate incident occurred. Nevertheless, I want you to know that I firmly believe it was not your fault.

On a positive note, I’m relieved to hear that you will be able to engage in some bed reading and writing after a week. That’s truly wonderful news! In light of your current situation, I want to assure you that your studies should not be a cause for concern. Your health takes precedence above all else, so it’s crucial that you focus on your recovery. Rest assured that I will take it upon myself to record all the lectures and diligently gather class notes for you. This way, you won’t miss out on any essential information or fall behind your classmates.

Please remember that I am here for you during this challenging time. If there is anything you require, whether it be assistance or simply someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your well-being is of utmost importance, and I am committed to supporting you in any way I can.

Please take care and know that my thoughts are with you as you embark on your journey to regain your strength and well-being. Wishing you a swift recovery.

With deepest sympathy and warmest regards,

With love,

Subham